Lawyers Defending Juvenile Offenders in eastern South Dakota

The most common types of juvenile crimes usually involve drugs, alcohol, illegal sex acts or violence. When juveniles commit criminal offenses, they can be arrested by law enforcement and charged with a crime. When a child breaks the law, he or she may be facing serious penalties and a future darkened by a criminal record.

Unlike the adult criminal process, the juvenile criminal process focuses on rehabilitating the minor instead of punishing them. It is believed that minors have a greater chance of learning from their mistakes than adults do. For this reason, many of the legal consequences a juvenile faces if he or she is convicted of a crime have to do with getting mental treatment, learning to obey rules and adding structure into their daily lives.

A person of any age who commits a crime has the right to seek legal counsel. Our firm handles juvenile crime cases throughout eastern South Dakota, including:

Shoplifting & petty theft;

Drug crimes:

Auto theft;

Assaults;

Internet crimes;

Sex crimes.

Early Intervention in South Dakota Juvenile Cases

Since the juvenile process varies so greatly from the adult criminal process, you need an attorney experienced in these particular matters in order to help ensure that your child’s interests are protected throughout the process. This is particularly important in cases involving serious and violent felonies, where a child of a certain age may face trial as an adult, and adult penalties if convicted.

If your attorney gets involved in your child’s case as soon as possible, you have a much better chance of keeping the case in juvenile court. Your attorney can play a major role in helping your child get a much needed second chance.